M URFREESBORO C ROSS C ONNECTION P ROGRAM P OLICIES

A plumbing permit shall be required for the installation of any backflow prevention device.

Permits will not be issued for any plumbing work unless the required backflow prevention device is included on the permit. Proof of valid State cross-connection control certification shall be required prior to the issuance of a permit. The cost of a plumbing permit is $10.00, plus $2.50 for each device to be installed. At the time of permit issuance, the permittee should receive the following information:

 Minimum Acceptable Installation Criteria for Backflow Prevention Devices

The Murfreesboro Water and Sewer Department has developed criteria for the installation of backflow prevention devices including drawings of typical installations.

Copies may be obtained from the Codes Department when application is made for plumbing permits, or from the Water and Sewer Department offices.

 List of Currently Approved Backflow Prevention Devices

Only devices approved by the Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation may be used for the control of cross- connection hazards. Information regarding any newly approved devices is available from the State Division of Water Supply.

 Installation and Maintenance Tag for Backflow Prevention Devices

Any person installing, repairing, or testing any backflow prevention device shall, upon completion of the work, affix an "Installation and Maintenance Tag" upon the device.

The person doing the actual work upon the device shall fill in the information requested on the tag in entirety. These tags (bright yellow in color) are available from the Codes Department when application is made for plumbing permits, or from the Water and Sewer Department offices.

3.5.2 Backflow Device Installation

The installation of any backflow prevention device shall be performed by a person with backflow prevention certification accepted by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Water Supply, and shall conform to all minimum acceptable installation criteria as set forth by the policy of the Murfreesboro Water and Sewer Department and City Code Sections 33-18 through 33-22.

3.5.3 Plumbing Inspections

Final approval by the City for new plumbing systems and additions to existing systems shall not be given prior to completion of a cross-connection inspection and acceptable installation of any necessary backflow prevention devices. The Cross Connection Control Inspector shall inspect all newly installed and/ or repaired devices. No devices will be inspected or approved unless a completed "Installation and Maintenance Tag" (bright yellow) is affixed to the device. If the tag is present, the inspector will then inspect and test the device and remove the yellow tag for his records. The inspector will then attach either a light blue "approved" tag or a red "rejected" tag. If any device is rejected, the inspector will notify the person identified on the yellow tag. The City plumbing inspector shall not grant final approval if the device is rejected or no tag is present.

3.5.4 Periodic Cross-Connection Inspections

Periodic inspections are conducted at all premises where cross-connection hazards are deemed possible. Department personnel shall have the right to inspect premises and test backflow prevention devices whenever deemed necessary. Water service will not be disrupted without the knowledge of the customer.

3.5.5 Inspection Fees

Fees are not assessed for any initial or routine annual testing of backflow prevention devices.

A notice is issued for devices failing initial or annual tests, and a thirty (30) day grace period is allowed for repair. If the deficiency is not corrected during this period, a fee of twenty five dollars ($25.00) is assessed. The fee is re-assessed for each subsequent visit after the thirty day period. Fees are included on the customer’s monthly water bill.

3.5.6 Testing & Repair

In addition to installation, all testing and/or repair of backflow prevention devices shall be performed by a person with backflow prevention certification accepted by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Water Supply. Records of testing and repair must be provided to the Murfreesboro Water and Sewer Department. Testing of backflow prevention devices will be performed at least on an annual basis.

3.5.7 Certification

Valid backflow prevention certification is required to install, test or repair backflow prevention devices in the City of Murfreesboro. Proof of certification (a photocopy of the certificate) shall be filed with the Department prior to commencing any of the above mentioned work. Any backflow protection certification issued by an organization other than those listed below shall be accepted on a case-by-case basis as approved by the Department.

Without certification, fire prevention system contractors must be approved by the Department to install any backflow prevention device, and then may install devices only on fire systems.

The following organizations can provide information on certification:

Fleming Environmental Training Center TN Assoc. of Utility Districts (TAUD)

2022 Blanton Drive PO Box 2529

Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37129-2912 Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37133-2529 Phone: (615) 848-3225 Phone: (615) 896-9022

3.5.8 Internal Protection

In conjunction with the main line backflow protection device(s), internal protection of the potable water may be required. Internal protection is utilized to prevent contamination of potable water after it has entered the customer's piping system. In such cases, additional backflow prevention devices are necessary to isolate specific areas or sources of potential contamination. {§33-19,f,5}

3.5.9 Statement - Wells

Any premises having an additional source of water other than that supplied by the

Murfreesboro Water and Sewer Department (such as a well) must supply a statement attesting that no cross-connections exist on the premises. Such statement must include the location of all additional water sources utilized on the premises. Maximum backflow protection is required on all public water sources supplied to the premises.

3.5.10 Fire Protection Systems

The Murfreesboro Water and Sewer Department has adopted the American Water Works Association classification scheme (Manual M-14) for backflow protection on fire prevention systems. This scheme classifies fire systems into six classes based on water source and arrangement of supplies. The type of backflow protection necessary for the premises is determined by the classification of the fire system. Minimum acceptable backflow protection on fire systems in the City of Murfreesboro is a double check detector assembly. Only licensed sprinkler contractors may install or repair backflow prevention devices on fire protection systems.

All existing fire systems are required to upgrade to current ordinance requirements. The Department is in the process of identifying facilities with fire systems. Those with the highest potential hazard will be required to upgrade their systems until all are corrected. Any facility obtaining a building permit for any purpose is required to immediately upgrade the fire system regardless of hazard.

3.5.11 Underground Device Installation

Underground installation of backflow prevention devices is not permitted except as described in the Installation Criteria. Existing facilities with devices installed in underground pits or vaults must maintain an approved Confined Space Entry Program. The facility must agree to supply the necessary equipment and manpower to provide Department personnel safe entry into permit-required confined spaces as required by OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910.146).

Below-ground devices must be upgraded to current requirements during any facility expansion or renovation that requires a plumbing permit.

3.5.12 Outdoor Enclosures For Backflow Prevention Devices

Protective enclosures are required for outdoor devices. Such enclosures must meet ASSE Standard #1060 - Performance Requirements for Outdoor Enclosures for Backflow Prevention Assemblies. Issued in November 1996 by the American Society of Sanitary Engineering for Plumbing and Sanitary Research, this standard “details the requirements of and outside enclosure for various types of backflow prevention assemblies. It includes enclosure types for freezing and non-freezing locations.”

3.5.13 Irrigation Systems

All irrigation systems (residential or otherwise) require the maximum protection of a reduced pressure backflow prevention device which must be installed, inspected, and tested according to established procedures. Devices installed outdoors must be protected with a weatherproof, insulated enclosure. In cases where the device is physically removed during cold weather, no enclosure is required but the feed line must be drained and capped. All outdoor installations require a four (4") thick concrete pad to anchor the device. At the customer's request, a separate irrigation water meter may be set by the Department. There will be no sewer charges for such meters but normal tap fees and minimum bill will be assessed.

3.5.14 Repurified Water

(a) All persons requesting use of repurified water shall submit a Repurified Water Service Application (see Figure 15) and execute a Repurified Water Customer Agreement (see Figure 16).

(b) All persons using repurified water produced by the City shall comply with all relevant provisions of City ordinances and MWSD policies and standards relating to potable water, repurified water and sewerage systems of the City.

(c) Repurified water shall be utilized for irrigation and may be utilized for other approved uses as established by policies adopted by MWSD. The use of potable water by customers of MWSD for irrigation shall be discontinued within ninety days of repurified water becoming available. Available shall mean that a repurified water distribution line is located in a street, alley,

right-of-way, easement or other public property abutting on the property in question.

(d) All lines and appurtenances dedicated to public use shall be located in public right-of ways or easements approved by the City. Such lines and appurtenances and easements shall become the property of the MWSD, and shall be maintained by MWSD. The construction of all repurified water lines shall be in accordance with the requirements, specifications and policies of the City.